WolfLady

Great idea! I found some sample/appetizer dishes on Amazon and they look fun. They are orginally used for tastings as cooking events. http://www.amazon.com/Mozaik-Appetizer-Plates-Spoons-96-Piece/dp/B00359FBHK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373643302&sr=8-2&keywords=appetizer+plates

am really pleased at where I am! When I started this segment of the journey in late April, I was 271lbs and spent most of the day knitting and reading at the computer. When I finally made the decision to be Sleeved I was determined that I would succed. I had video conferences with my surgeon (who had been in Germany earlier so I know him) and the nutritionist every 2 weeks. I started using My Fitness Pal to track my food and excerise. Now I am officially calling myself a 'GYM BUNNY' . I am working out every day for 1-2 hours. I never thought I would be this active! I actually feel guilty if I don't do any excerise during the day-now THAT is a major WOOT! This morning I weighed 251lbs and I am so close to being under 250 for the first time in 25years that I can taste it!!!!! I am down 1 size in jeans and underwear. I really enjoyed throwing out those size 12's!!!! During the last couple of weeks I have had ups and downs and discovered just what kind of mind games we play with ourselves. I was out walking and started thinking...'I don't need no frickin' surgery. All I need it 1600 calories a day and 1 hour of excerise daily. Why go through the stress and strain of surgery that will totally change my life.' Well the answer is that I have been down this road many times before and know that my body will stall big time. Not just a little one but up to a year with no change or with weight gain. As hard as the excerise and diets are it will all be worth it when my son sees me weighing under 200lbs for the first time in his life (he just turned 25!). That is worth it all. Next week I have the final surgeon vist and ambualtory surgery visit. Then D-Day on the 22nd!!!!!

I am going skiing and tackle the Blue trails and then get back to the Black trails.

Thank you for giving us an update. It is good to hear from a 'veteran'.

That is awesome! Big Congratulations!

Congratulation! You Rock!

I needed to start early because I needed to lose 10lbs preop. I started walking 10" three times a day and I am now up to 3.5-4miles a day. It really helps with the weight loss and I have found that If I don't to some form of exercise I feel anxious and a little bit guilty. I will tell you that it takes time out of your day. I am fortunate that I am not required to be on a schedule so taking an hour or two hours out of the day is not a hardship. Having had total knee replacements I can tell you that preop excerise is very helpful in the post op phase.

You Go girl! Hubby with be totally amazed when you show him you push ups!

Best of luck!

An awesome post! I like everyone else needed this boost. I start my preop on the 8th and am just starting to get nervous about it.

Do you have an accepting surgeon at the Springs? Double check with your patient admin, but the referral should be enough.

Also you should be able to add the liquid as "my food" especially if it has any kind of calorie/protein count.

Congratulations!!!!! I agree with Malugo...You Look Great!

I will be traveling by plane 2 weeks after my surgery and will have a 6-7 hour flight home. I was wondering and hoping for advice on what to expect. Did you have to contact the airlines about liquids/protein drinks? Did you have a problem with seat belts? Were you able to get all your liquids in?

I just found Unity by Shinedown. I was listening to it on the treadmill this morning and the lyrics really got to me.

At Bethesda/Walter Reed Medical Center.

I had the first meeting with my main NUT today. I live in Germany and he is in Maryland, where I will have my surgery. I have a NUT here but he is the main one. The first thing he did was change my diet plan. I was and am using My Fitness Pal and was aiming for 1500cal per day. Once we talked and he worked the numbers he changed me to a 1600cal per day with the main meals being 400,400,500 cal and three snacks of 100 cals. Also I am on a 400-500 cal excerise program. The main thing was No Weighing myself until the morning of our next video conference. What a difference. So now I feel like I am starting over but the good thing is that I am 3 pounds lighter that I was on the 7th of this month when I met with my surgeon.

Congratulations! We have the same surgery date so we can keep track of each other. It sounds like you are making excellent progress. Keep up the good work.

Congratulations! What an awesome result.

I have to agree. I had my meeting last Tuesday and it became very real.

Good Luck.

Wow! That is awesome!!!!

You love wonderful! Congratulations.

You gals are awesome. Thank you for your comments. I haven't been on the forum long enough to figure out how to answere you individually but I get it soon. Museum-Mama: I love the quote from Christopher Robin. :D

It has been a long time since I was on the forum. I was within 2 weeks of having my sleeve done in 2010 but had to have it cancelled because of some admin problems here in Europe. Needless to say I was pretty upset for a long time. I restarted this journey 2 months ago and I just got my surgery date. 22July!!! I have started the pre-op diet-need to lose 10 lbs- and started walking at least 20 minutes a day. My surgeon had a good analogy for getting ready for this change in life. He compared it to training for a sporting competition, you can't just jump into the marathon and expect to get very far. You have to get your mind into the 'training' and making the changes that you need to accomplish the goal of completing the race. So here I go getting my mind and body ready for the changes.